Fluorescent lamp switch



July 29, 1958 E. G. GAYNoR 2,845,498

FLUORESCENT LAMP SWITCH Filed Nov. 4, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 1 8 Z J @j 7231.

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July 29, 1958 E. G. GAYNOR FLUORESCENT LAMP SWITCH 2 Sheets-$11861l 2Filed Nov. 4, 1954 FLURESCENT LAMP SWITCH Edwin G. Gaynor, Bridgeport,Conn.

Application November 4, 1954, Serial No. 466,811

1 Claim. (Cl. 20G-5) This invention relates to a liuorescent lampswitch, and more particularly to a fluorescent lamp switch of thesingle-button type.

A fluorescent lamp, as is well known, comprises a tube or other envelopefilled with gas under low pressure. The tube contains two spacedfilaments which function as electrodes when the tube is conducting. Tostart tube conduction it is necessary to heat the larnents to initiateionization of the gas within the tube.

Switches used with tubes of this character have a component whichestablishes a circuit through the filaments to generate heat in thefilaments. This circuit normally is closed for a short length of timeonly, and thereafter itis open. Another switch component functions toestablish a circuit through the lamp between the filament electrodes,this circuit being the one which illuminates the lamp. This inventioncontemplates a switch having the aforesaid two switch components. Oneobject of the invention is to provide a single-button fluorescent lampswitch which is small in size, easy' and effective in operation andinexpensive to make.

Another object of the invention is to provide a singlebutton switch ofthis character which includes a switch component so designed that thereis a time delay between releasing the button and the reaction whichopens the switch component. This time delay is ample for theheat-generating circuit through the filaments.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a switch of thischaracter having lead wires which are anchored by novel means within theswitch body, the anchor feature being capable of withstanding a pull ofat least twenty pounds on a lead wire.

Y et another object of the invention is to provide a iiuorescent lampswitch which is designed for use with either one or two lamp units.

Other objects, advantages and details of the invention will be apparentas the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein one form of the invention is shown. It is to beunderstood that the description and drawings are illustrative only andthat the scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claim.

.ln thev drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a switch embodying the invention, theligure also including a circuit diagram illustrating a manner ofconnecting the switch in circuit with a pair of fluorescent lamps;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on line 2--2 of Fig. l illustratingone switch component in open condition;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view like Fig. 2 except that the switch componentis shown in closed condition;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View on line 4--4 of Fig. l illustratinganother switch component in closed condition;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view like Fig. 4 except that the other switchcomponent is shown in open condition, Aand nited States Patent "ice Fig.6 is an enlarged sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. l illustratingvarious details of the invention, certain parts being omitted forclarity.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, theillustrated switch embodying the invention is designated 10. Shownconnected in circuit with switch lil are a pair of fiuorescent lamps 11and 12, a ballast 13 and a Voltage line 14. Lamp 11 has spaced filaments16 and 17 while lamp 12 has spaced filaments 1S and 19.

As previously mentioned, switch 10 is designed for operation with eitherone or two lamps; however, the connections and circuit elements shown inFig. l illustrate the use of the switch with two lamps.

Still referring to Fig. l switch 10 has two cooperating lead wires 2i)and 21, the lead wire 20 being connected to one terminal of filament 16and the lead wire 21 being connected to one terminal of filament 17.Switch 10 has another pair of cooperating lead wires 22 and 23, the leadwire 22 being connected to one terminal of filament 18 and lead wire 23being connected to one terminal of filament 19.

Switch 10 also has a central pair of cooperating lead wires 24 and 25,the lead wire 24.- being connected to one side of line 141 and lead wire25 being connected to one terminal of ballast 13. Another terminal ofballast 13 is connected to the other terminal of filament 19, while thethird terminal of ballast 13 is connected to the other terminal offilament 17. The other terminals of filaments 16 and 18 are connectedtogether and to the other side of line 1li.

When the push-button, presently to be referred to, of switch 10 isdepressed, all switch components of the switch are closed. The closedcircuits through the switch are indicated by the dotted lines 27, 28 and29 within the switch. At this time one series circuit through filaments16 and 17 is established, this circuit leading from one side of line 14through filament 16, lead wire 2t), dotted line 29, lead wire 21,filament 17, ballast 13, lead wire 25, dotted line 28 and lead wire 24to the other side of line 14. At the same time another series circuitthrough filaments 18 and 19 is established, this circuit leading fromone side of line 14 through filament T18, lead wire 22, dotted line 27,lead wire 23, filament 19, ballast 13, lead wire 25, dotted line 28 andlead wire 24 to the other side of line 14. These two circuits, due tothe construction of switch lil, stay closed until momentarily after thepush-button is released.l Following a short delay the dotted line closedcircuits 27 and 29 in switch 10 are opened. The heat generated in therespective filaments during the time the circuits are closed sufhcientlyionizes the gas contained within lamps 11 and 12 so that the gas in therespective lamps becomes conducting at the available voltage. The lampsbecome illuminated when gas conduction starts.

Gne illuminating circuit extends from one side of line 14 throughfilament 16, the gas in lamp 11, filament 17, ballast 13, lead wire 25,the still closed dotted line connection 2S in switch 19 and lead wire 24to the other side of line 14. The other illuminating circuit extendsfrom one side of line 14 through filament 18, the gas in lamp 12,filament 19, ballast 13, lead wire 25, the still closed dotted lineconnection 23 and lead wire 24 to the other side 'of line 14. The lampsremain illuminated until the next time the push-button is depressed.

Referring now to Figs. 2 6, switch 10 comprises a body 30 of insulatingmaterial having a hollow interior 31. Body 3i) has ends 32 and 33, theends 32 and 33 vbeing the left and right ends respectively in Figs. 2-5.

At least two channels lead from the exterior of body 30 to the hollowinterior 31 in each end 32-33 of the body. Thus left end 32 has channels35 (Fig. 2) and 36 3 (Fig. 4) while right end 33 has channels 37 (Fig,2) and 38 (Fig. 4).

Channels 35, 36, 37 and 38 receive the ends of lead wires, the leadwires 20, 24, 21 and 25 (also shown in Fig. l) being respectivelyreceived in said channels.

In the form of the invention illustrated body 3S) has another channel(not shown) in each body end, the additional channels receiving the endsof lead wires 22 and 23 (Fig. l).

Each channel has a tooth element 4d facing away from the body exteriorwhich bites into the insulation of the lead wires to anchor the wiressecurely within body 30. To accommodate this arrangement body 30includes a top plate d1 of insulating material which forms the top ofthe several channels and which ,is not put in position until after thelead wires have been placed in the channels. When top plate 41 is forceddown in position with respect to the remainder of body 39, the leadwires are pressed against tooth elements 40 to enable the latter to biteinto the insulation and thus anchor the lead wires.

Each lead wire is connected to a switch terminal mounted in body 30.Thus, lead wires 29 and 21 (Fig. 2) have terminals 44 and 45 while leadwires 24 and 25 (Fig. 4) have terminals 46 and 47.

Lead wires 22 and 23 (Fig. l) also have switch terminals (not shown),the structure of the terminals and other cooperating elements, presentlyto be described, being the same as those illustrated and described withreference to lead wires 2.0 and 21. In other words, switch issymmetrical so far as concerns the cooperating lead wires 22-23 and29-21.

Referring to Fig. 4, terminals 46 and 47 are provided with a iirst pairof Contact elements 5t? and 51. In the form of the invention showncontact elements 5t) and 51 are spring biased to engage each other, andthe contacting portions thereof present cylindrical surfaces to eachother at right angles. Contact element 51 has an intermediate portion 52which is engaged by a rocker cam element, presently to be described, tocontrol the engagement and disengagement of the contact elements 50 and51.

Referring to Fig. 2, terminals 44 and 45 are provided with a second pairof contact elements 54 and 55. As here shown, contact elements 54 and 55are in spaced relation, that is, the contact elements normally are inopen relation. A connection between contact elements 54 and S5 isestablished by a make means 58, presently to be described.

The functional switch elements so far described are contact elements 56and 51 which comprise one switch component and Contact elements 54 and55 which comprise a second switch component, the respective pairs ofcontact elements being in side-by-side relation. Cooperating with theseswitch components is a simultaneously acting means for opening orclosing contact elements 50 and 51 and momentarily establishing aconnection between contact elements 54 and S5. This simultaneouslyacting means no-w will be described.

The simultaneously acting means includes a rocker cam element 69 whichis pivotally mounted within the hollow interior 31 of body 3d. Rockercam element 6! has a protruding portion 62 which engages intermediateportion 52 of contact terminal S1 to effect separation of Contactelement S1 from contact element Si? or is withdrawn from portion 52, topermit the two contact elements to engage each other in response to thespring bias therebetween.

In the form of the invention shown, a bracket 64 is mounted in xedposition for the most part within hollow interior 31 of body Si). Anaxle '65 projects from one face of bracket 6d, and extends through acentral opening in rocker cam element 6i). Thus, the latter is pivotallymounted within body 30.

The upper edge of rocker cam element 60 has a central apex 66 whichslopes laterally on each side to shoulders 67 and 68. These shouldersare engaged successively by a pendulum element, presently to bedescribed, which rocks the rocker cam element 60 from side to side, aswill be seen.

A guide element 70 is mounted on top plate 41 above the central portionof switch body 30. A push-button 71 is arranged for telescopic movementwithin guide element 70, a spring 72 being provided to bias push-button71 to extended position.

Referring to Fig. 6 wherein guide element 70 has been omitted forclarity, push-button 71 includes a pair of spaced, depending legs 74 and75 having feet 76 and 77 respectively. Legs 74 and 75 terminate withinhollow interior 31 of body 30 and feet 76 and 77 extend in opposingdirections.

Still referring to Fig. 6, a pendulum element 80 is disposed in thespace between legs 74 and 75 of pushbutton 7i. Pendulum element 8) ismounted in a pivotal manner at its upper end as at 81 to the interior ofpushbutton 71, the pivotal relationship between pendulum element 80 andpush-button 71 having considerable friction so that pendulum element 80is not free to swing unless pressure is applied as when push-button 71moves in and out of guide element 70.

The lower end of pendulum element 80 has a finger 82 which enters anopening or recess 84 in a face of bracket 64. Recess 84 is generallytriangular in shape with an upper apex centrally located with respect tobracket 64.

Bracket 64, recess 84 therein and finger 82 of pendulum element 80constitute means to center pendulum element 80 when push-button 71 isextended. As will be seen, pendulum element 80 swings in one directionor the other when push-button 71 is depressed, and as pushbutton 71 andassociated pendulum element 80 are extended by means of spring 72,finger 82 cooperates with recess or opening 84 to center pendulumelement 80, as best illustrated in Fig. 4. i

The previously referred to make means 58 is, as illustrated in Fig, 2,associated with push-button foot 77. In the form of the invention shown,make means 58 is a rectangular band of conducting material which ismounted on and moves with foot 77. The relationship between make means58 and foot 77 is such that there is relative motion between make means58 and foot 77 whereby, when push-button 71 and foot 77 are depressed toposition make means S8 between contact members 54 and 55, a delay occursbetween release of push-button 71 and withdrawal of make means 58 frombetween the two contact elements.

This relative motion feature, in the form of the invention shown,includes an elongated opening or recess 86 in make means 58. Foot 77enters this recess or opening but the vertical dimension thereof isconsiderably less than the vertical length of recess or opening 86, asbest shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 illustrates the relationship between make means 58 and foot 77when push-button 71 is depressed and make means 58 is positioned betweencontact elements 54 and 55. The small arrow 90 indicates the distancethrough which foot 77 must move as push-button 71 is extended beforefoot 77 engages make means 58 and starts to withdraw the latter from itscircuit establishing position between contact elements 54 and 55. Thetravel distance designated by arrow 90 introduces a suicient time delayto insure that the series circuits through the lamp filaments 18, 19, 20and 21 have functioned long enough to generate the heat necessary toionize the gas contained in lamps 11 and 12.

Thus, when push-button 71 is extended, the series filament circuits arebroken by the withdrawal of make means 58 from connection-establishingrelation with contact elements 54 and 55. However, as shown in Fig. 4,rocker cam element 60 has been rocked to the right, the position whichpermits switch elements 50 and 51 to close to establish the aforesaidheating and illuminating circuits through lamps 11 and 12 and ballast13.

When it is desired to turn the lamps out, push-button 71 again isdepressed and, referring to Fig. 4, the lower end of pendulum element 80strikes rocker cam element 60 on the left hand side of apex 66.Continued inward movement of pendulum element 80 rocks cam element 60 tothe left and into the position shown in Fig. 5. Protruding portion 62 ofcam element 60 elects separation of contact elements S0 and 51, therebybreaking the lampilluminating circuit.

When push-button 71 is extended from the position shown in Fig. 5,pendulum element 80 is centered as aforesaid and thus positioned for thenext down stroke which will rock cam element 60 back to the positionshown in Fig. 4, the pendulum element 80 striking cam element 60 on theright hand side of apex 66.

From the above description it is thought that the construction andadvantages of my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Various changes in detail may be made without departing fromthe spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

A uorescent lamp switch comprising a hollow body of insulating material,a first pair of cooperating contact elements mounted within said body, asecond pair of contact elements mounted within said body, said pairs ofcontact elements being in side-by-side relation, and simultaneouslyacting means for opening and closing said first pair of contact elementsand momentarily establishing a connection between said second pair ofcontact elements, said simultaneously acting means including a rockercam element pivoted Within said body and engaging a contact element ofsaid rst pair of contact elements, a spring-biased push-button mountedon said body, said push-button having make means which, when the buttonis depressed, establishes a connection between said second pair ofcontact elements, said make means being mounted on said push-button tohave relative motion therewith whereby delay occurs between release ofthe push-button and withdrawal of said make means from its position ofestablishing a connection between said second pair of contact elements,and a pendulum element frictionally related to said push-button, saidpendulum element engaging said rocker cam element when said push-buttonis depressed to rock said cam element in successively oppositedirections to open and close said first pair of contact elements, andmeans to center said pendulum element when said push-button is extended.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS693,416 Merrick et al. Feb. 18, 1902 1,051,219 Grabau Ian. 21, 19131,448,033 Nelson Mar. 13, 1923 2,372,541 Beal Mar. 27, 1945 2,466,910Pomerantz Apr. 12, 1949 2,481,368 Tiffany et al Sept. 6, 1949 2,519,726Wollard Aug. 22, 1950 2,659,838 Du Rocher Nov. 17, 1953 2,747,034 Machonet al. May 22, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 96,076 Switzerland Sept, 1, 1922

